Giovanni Merlo’s engraving, “Saint Amatus”, c.1656, after Raphael Sadeler I and Maarten de Vos

Giovanni Merlo (fl.c.1656–1696)

“Saint Amatus”—Bishop of Nusco near Salerno, died 1093 and celebrated on 13 September (see TIB 71 [Part 1], p. 144), c.1656, plate 19 in the series of thirty plates, “Hermits Sylvae Sacrae (Monumenta …Anachoretarum…)”, after a drawing in the Kupferstichkabinett, Berlin (inv. 79B17, pl. 1), dated 1593, by Maarten de Vos (1532–1603), in reverse after the engraving of the same composition executed by Raphael Sadeler I (1560/61–1628/32) (see https://www.printsandprinciples.com/2017/11/raphael-sadeler-is-engraving-saint.html).

Engraving on laid paper with a small margin around the platemark.

Size: (sheet) 18 x 21.4 cm; (plate) 16.6 x 20.2 cm; (image borderline) 15.1 x 19.7 cm.

Inscribed in plate within the image borderline: (lower right corner) “G^io. Merlo”

Numbered and lettered in plate below the image borderline (note that my reading of the Latin text may have errors): “Harpagat infernus Cererein tibi corinis AMATE,/ Tu gaudes dum plus esuriisse potes.//19//Deiectam medio Suspendis in acre molem:/ Nam parent Sanctis Saxa vel ipsa viris.”

Lifetime impression (based on the quality of line showing no sign of wear to the printing plate).

TIB 7001.109 C3 (Isabelle de Ramaix [ed.] 2001, “The Illustrated Bartsch: Raphael Sadeler I Fecit”, Vol. 71, Part 1 [Supplement], New York, Abaris Books, p. 144, cat. no. [7001].109 C3).

Condition: a richly inked and near faultless impression. There are a few pale marks and early restored tears in the lower left corner, otherwise, the sheet is a good condition.

I am selling this exceptionally strong engraving in a near pristine condition exemplifying the period style of Mannerism, for the total cost of AU$248 (currently US$165.76/EUR149.98/GBP132.03 at the time of this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this superb engraving showing the saint praying in the foreground and pumping water in the distance while an impish flying devil urinates on the saint’s dwelling and a bird flies away with his bread and water, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.